give someone one’s word—
1. give one’s promise to a person:
- I’ll help you in any way I can—I give you my word.
2. express one’s assurance to a person:
- I give you my word that my brother did not leave a shilling to his son.
give someone the word—
1. indicate one’s intentions to smb.:
- Any time you need any additional help just give us the word.
2. command a person to do smth.:
- The man stood bolt upright before me until I gave him the word to stand at ease.
3. = give someone one’s word 2:
- I give you the word of a man whose word once meant something—I am playing square with you now.